Session types
full-day sessions, half-day sessions, school-hours sessions
Dunky's Day Nursery (Runcorn)
Ofsted: Outstanding
(Sept 2025)
Number of places
93 places
Age range
0–3 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2025
Local authority
Halton
About this day nursery
Dunky's Day Nursery is a family-operated childcare provider offering high-quality and affordable services for children aged 0 to 11 years. They operate 51 weeks a year, from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, providing a flexible approach to childcare to meet diverse family needs.
The nursery offers various session options, including full-day, half-day, and school-hours sessions, with the ability for parents to add on extra hours as required, ensuring families only pay for the care they need. Dunky's is committed to an all-inclusive package, providing essentials such as nappies, wipes, formula, bottles, and all meals.
They also emphasise specialised learning, a wide variety of activities, and extensive outdoor learning opportunities, including dedicated Forest Schools at several of their locations. The nursery prides itself on its award-winning care, nutrition, and support for government childcare initiatives, aiming to create an environment where children can thrive and enjoy their growth.
Our ethos
Dunky's Day Nursery is committed to an all-inclusive package, with specialised learning, a wide variety of activities, and extensive outdoor learning opportunities, including dedicated Forest Schools. They aim to create an environment where children can thrive and enjoy their growth.
What it's like
Children flourish and thrive at this exceptional, child-centred nursery. Staff build extremely warm relationships with them in a positive and nurturing manner, ensuring all children feel secure, happy and engaged. They plan a wealth of rich learning experiences, indoors and outdoors, providing appropriate challenge that enables children to make excellent progress.
Family-operatedFlexible childcare optionsAll-inclusive packageForest School provisionAward-winning care and nutrition
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
Pricing on request
This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.
Key facts
Opening hours
7.30am to 6pm, 51 weeks per year
Age range
0-11 years
Term time / All Year
All Year
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Dunky's Day Nursery (Runcorn)
Last inspected 17 September 2025
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
What it's like to attend
Children flourish and thrive at this exceptional, child-centred nursery. Staff build extremely warm relationships with them in a positive and nurturing manner, ensuring all children feel secure, happy and engaged. They plan a wealth of rich learning experiences, indoors and outdoors, providing appropriate challenge that enables children to make excellent progress.
Inspector highlights
- Children flourish and thrive, making excellent progress.
- Staff foster exceptionally high-quality communication skills.
- Leaders are dedicated to creating a high-quality nursery where all children thrive.
- Babies and children have abundant opportunities to develop physical skills.
- Children develop excellent focus and concentration, with a thirst for learning.
Inspection #10407743 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
their children make 'phenomenal progress', particularly in their language development
Staff go above and beyond, always there when you need them.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
This enables the children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, to make the best possible start in life.
Outdoor space
Staff plan a wealth of rich learning experiences, indoors and outdoors. Children have an abundance of opportunities to develop their physical skills, including crawling, climbing, and developing small-muscle skills through activities like exploring dough.
Parent Reviews of Dunky's Day Nursery (Runcorn)
4.4
(7)
Charlotte Flanagan
a year ago
May Daughter has been going to Dunky’s runcorn since 2022. She absolutely loves it. She has been in 2 different classes and never had a problem adapting to new rooms. She loves all her teachers and friends and is always so happy when we pick her up. The updates on app reassure any parent and they are always happy to answer any questions over a message or phone call. Been also supportive in helping my daughter grow and become the independent girl she is now, thankyou!
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Hannah Binns
a year ago
This outstanding nursery and it's truly caring uber talented team are helping me bring up my baby (toddler ☺️). My child is thriving because of these wonderful lot. So pleased to be able to send them here
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Tim McIntyre
11 years ago
My Son has been attending to Dunky's (Runcorn) for just over 3 years now and his brother is due to start in January 2015. The Nursery is clean, tidy, modern and has a lovely outdoor play area. The staff are friendly and professional and there is always plenty of feedback on his progression. The best thing about Dunky's is the importance of knowing my son is learning in a safe and fun environment. This leaves me and my wife in the knowledge that he is looked after and educated in a fun way every day.
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Edward Ball
12 years ago
Superb day nursery in Runcorn. Our 2 sons have being going to this nursery for over 10 months now and they really enjoy it. Staff are fantastic.
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Elliott Locke
4 years ago
Great staff all round. Great communication in adapting to my sons needs. Great first day! Couldnt be happier.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Dunky's Day Nursery (Runcorn). See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: December 2008
- September 2025Outstanding
- January 2020Outstanding
- June 2016Good
- July 2013Requires improvement
- November 2012Requires improvement
- December 2008Good
Frequently asked about Dunky's Day Nursery (Runcorn)
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